Oct. 8, 2010
08:44 am JST

Oct. 8, 2010
08:52 am JST

Not that much that can be done with a crying baby. Like Papasmurf said, sometimes being silly works. When my son was a bit older, I joined in on one of his tantrums. He was so embarrassed that he never did it again.

Oct. 8, 2010
09:21 am JST

If they are stil small, take them to the kitchen section. The stewardesses will fuss over them and give them a treat and/or toy. This will keep them quite for a while.

Also do a circuit or 2 of the plane, where you are allowed. Anything to relieve the boredom is better than nothing. Some of the other passengers will pull funny faces at the kids whick helps entertain them.

Oct. 8, 2010
10:36 am JST

Oct. 8, 2010
11:51 am JST

Crying babies, and some children experience pain on liftoff and landing, due to pressure changes on the inner ear... Nurse the baby, or give it a bottle at those times, give a kid a lollypop, or hard candy for an older kid. But for straight up pains in the TUCHES, I reccommend a Nyquil milkshake...

Oct. 8, 2010
04:05 pm JST

Oct. 8, 2010
04:32 pm JST

drop sleeping pills in their complementary beverage

Was going to try that once on a NY/Narita flight. Unfortunately, the kid caught us choosing some Nytol at Duane Reade and loudly asked “are you guys going to give me drugs?“ Under many suspicious stares, we quickly departed and never tried that again...

Oct. 8, 2010
06:08 pm JST

People who lose it when kids are noisy are fundamentally dangerous. My lithmus test of a good person is one who like kids and dogs. If they have problems in these categories, watch out. The manipulative ones will lie though because they know.

We have a grumpy neighbor who yells out his window when my kids play outside and make kid noise. I can imagine what he'd do if he was seated next to one on an airplaine.

Oct. 8, 2010
06:34 pm JST

Oct. 8, 2010
07:43 pm JST

For those parents who think that all other passengers are unreasonable for not enjoying 12 hours of screaming, would you be so tolerant if a person seated next to you was perhaps drunk, getting up for the toilet every 5 minutes or listening to their ipod at full blast for the whole flight (or stinking of BO as I once experienced)?

I appreciate that there is little that the parents can do if a child is upset on a flight but to be so vitriolic against passengers without children is unnecessary. Long haul economy flights are not much fun with or without children.

So, perhaps not subjecting small children to such long and uncomfortable flights, unless absolutely necessary, is the best cause of action?

Oct. 8, 2010
09:11 pm JST

The best idea is to stay in the toilet for the entire flight.
We don't want to hear your annoying kid. No matter how cute you think your baby is. He/She is not cute and you need to start doing something to quell the noise. Sorry, it's completely selfish if you think he or she is just a baby. Have some consideration for people who want to have some kind of peace and sleep on a 12 hour flight. PLEASE do not buy a ticket if your kid can't behave or teach the kids some manners first.

The best way is not to get on the plane in the first place if the :

(1) kid is yelling at a high pitch " yatta yatta yatta yatta or noooooooooo", low pitch screaming, runny nose, selfish, annoying, running around, high pitch screaming, throwing things & toys around, having a serious mental tantrum on the seat or airport, turning on the overhead lights for the entire flight, while the whole plane is dark( simulated night ),

(2) the mother & father is a complete idiot- not attending the baby or doing something to quiet the noise down.

(3) if your kid hasn't been taught BASIC manners you shouldn't even step in the airport.

(4) if the parent doesn't have BASIC manners themselves like bothering 3 flight attendants for 10 minutes because you feel "Privileged " or freakin " Special ". Excuse me nose high person, let's not forget about the other 100 passengers.

(5) if your at the airport, please change your child's dirty diapers in the proper place. Not on the seats of the airport. Nobody wants your child's germs. Nobody wants to smell baby spinach poo poo.

Don't be selfish think about other people before you travel. Is your trip really neccessary ?

Also to idiot mothers out there, please hug your child more.
and also if your at the train platform at the airport or whatever please hold your child, or let the kid sit in stroller, or carry your baby but do not let your baby walk down a flight of stairs or on the esclator alone or whatever reason you think that " it's cute to watch your baby " do adult tasks. Gazillion people need to get by or go somewhere. We don't think t's cute if your meat sack rug rat is walking or doing something. WE ARE NOT INTERESTED OR SAY " KAWAII "

Oct. 9, 2010
09:58 am JST

I'm surprised no one mentioned this remedy : for babies who are crying, put on a pair of cheap sunglasses or colored glasses. This will shut them up right away. Either that or a bit of candy, a pacifier, etc. For older kids, give them a book, puzzle, color book, ipod, DS, something to do that occupies their attention.

Oct. 9, 2010
11:44 am JST

Oct. 9, 2010
11:46 am JST

Give those children a sharp stare or worse scenario shout at them. And they'll behave themselves. Problem is those parents don't manage their children well. They simply let the children scream and cry...so someone else has to discipline the children for them.

Oct. 9, 2010
01:54 pm JST

Oct. 9, 2010
04:49 pm JST

Selfish parents produce selfish brats (x)times 10 fold.

bicultural From what my mother told me, I was a quiet kid that respected everybody around them. Because my mother and father taught me manners. If I acted up, i would recieve some kind of smack on my arse or something far worse like a leather belt on the toosh.

Excuses EXCUSES blah blah blah is telling me you should invest in child pyschology books or invest in some money reading good parenting books.
Or do some research on the internet.

Kids are naturally selfish you have to teach them it's nice to annoy other people. Just like it's annoying yelling and screaming on the plane or airport if your an adult.

Oct. 9, 2010
04:52 pm JST

Oct. 9, 2010
05:28 pm JST

Oct. 9, 2010
06:03 pm JST

Badly-behaved have said it all,but we have to consider those that do cry because they are afraid of the plane!
I think that the best way to deal with those type of children is to talk to them(their parents)and prepare them mentaly for the trip and get what they like to keep them busy,like the biscuit,chips,chocolate,juice and games that they like more!Children can be managed the way we adults we want it because they can not just do whatever they want and the parents keep silent and allow them to do whatever they want,in that case they are not good parents!As for the cafeine and brand in the milk is just so irresponsible!Asuming is your child,will you get him drunk each time you travel?As human we have to try to tolerate our fellow human beying and understand each other!That is the problem,in the world today everybody is becoming annoying because of their own problem that they can not tolerate other people's problems!

Oct. 9, 2010
06:35 pm JST

Oct. 9, 2010
06:38 pm JST

Right solution, wrong person. When I was single I used to pop a couple of tranquilizers and sleep through screaming kids, fat people stealing my armrest, and all the horrors of economy air travel.

Now that I have kids I don't have that option, but you do. Personally I like the idea of a family section, because on the occassions when I've been sitting with parents when I nod off for a minute (my flight home is 24~36 hours depending on transfer times) they keep an eye on my child and I do the same for them.

For those recommending tranquilizers for kids, I have talked to several doctors about it and it is the professional opinion of 4 out of 5 doctors that I talked to that for young children over-the-counter tranquilizers are at best a 50/50 bet. Childrens' metabolisms are different from adults' and sometimes it'll knock them out, and sometimes it'll just make them hyper.

Also alcohol in small quantities is actually a stimulant, while in large quantities it can dehydrate children (and adults) and lead to serious quantities, and individual tolerance vary, so alcohol is also at best a 50/50 bet.

An overtired child can go from laughing to crying to back to laughing in about 30 seconds, and they're both loud, so while I prefer laughing again there's no "magic bullet" here.

Again the best solution is for the adult who can't stand it to get some earplugs of tranquilizers. After all isn't that what being the adult in a sitution means, the one who takes responsibility for taking positive action? Those of you whining that the child should be held responsible should clearly return to your high chairs.

Oct. 9, 2010
09:48 pm JST

Oct. 9, 2010
10:04 pm JST

the parents are the problems. not the kids. if someone can't control/soothe their own child, they shouldn't be allowed to board the plane. i've seen parents whose idea of discipline is to ignore their child and let them CIO (cry it out). wtf?

Oct. 10, 2010
01:06 am JST

understand that most parents are doing the very best they can to entertain their children and keep them from being a nuisance.

This is not always true. The same kids that act up on the airplane are often the same kids that you see pitching fits in the restaurant, supermarket or department store while mom and dad do nothing about it.

If I see the parents are trying their best, I usually don't say anything, but if the parents are just sitting there, I'm going to start a running dialog with them, usually the father.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me are the numbers of parents with very young children that don't bring anything on the plane to keep the kids occupied and expect to get through a long flight without the kids getting antsy.

I'm a parent and I've taken many flights with my kids and never once did we have a problem - because I was prepared and my kids knew from an early age how to behave in public. I would bet that a lot of the parents upbraiding the single people here are the same ones who let their kids do whatever they want.

Oct. 10, 2010
04:12 am JST

Ok time for my two yen!

I have 2 kids and they are older now so no problems, but I have traveled with them plenty of times on planes, buses, Trains, etc... and IT DRIVES ME CRAZY THAT SO MANY PARENTS THINK THEIR KIDS ARE SOOOO CUTE AND THAT ITS OK TO DRIVES EVERYONE ELSE CRAZY! THE ANSWER IS DISCIPLINE!!!

NO your kid is not the cutest thing in the world and no his or her crying, yelling or any other loud crap you may think is cute, is not to us and we don't care to hear it!

And this goes for restaurants also!

I love my children but I never and I do mean NEVER let them run around in restaurants, planes, trains or any other place of this type.

I taught them from the start when, where, and how to behave even on the 13 hrs first leg followed by another 4 hrs second leg plus transfer time to get back home.

It's called respect for others even now I will not accept cell phones or PSP, DS or anything like that at my dinner table and even less in a restaurant I have taught my children when and where it is appropriate and the same goes for planes and the likes and that is "sit down colour, draw, play your video games (with the sound or or with earphones) watch TV but under no circumstance disturb the other passengers.

I didn't/don't hit my children but I will sure scare the he!! out of them and they knew from a young age if they broke the rules there would be consequences and I always followed up on it and I can tell you a week of no TV, Games, going out to play and just sitting in their room is something they never want to do twice, but parents have to stick to it and parents have to set the rules not the children like it seems to be the way these days!

And maybe if parent had to pay more when their brats make a flight unbearable for the rest they may start teaching discipline!

That said babies are rnot esponsible for their actions but if parents do a little research they will find plenty of ways to make the child's and the other passenger flight a little more tolerable!

Oct. 10, 2010
04:15 am JST

Oct. 10, 2010
08:39 am JST

onewrldoneppl at 10:04 PM JST - 9th October
the parents are the problems. not the kids. if someone can't control/soothe their own child, they shouldn't be allowed to board the plane. i've seen parents whose idea of discipline is to ignore their child and let them CIO (cry it out). wtf?

You're obviously not a parent. In Japan they actually call it "twilight crying", the crying babies do just before they fall asleep. If you interrupt the crying, and particularly if you make eye contact with the baby, they can get distracted and then they don't fall asleep and "skip" that entire sleep cycle... which means they're screaming on and off for 4 to 5 hours instead of 15 to 30 minutes. Parents know this, which is why they sit throught the screaming and don't interfere, they're actually doing the best thing to get the child to sleep.

It amazes me that so many people who clearly have NO experience of handling a baby have the temerity to comment here. You're quick to talk about respect for others, but clearly you mean that others should respect you while you disrespect them. Hypocrits.

Oct. 10, 2010
10:15 am JST

I have been on both sides of this. The best way to deal with it is to get the kids all rested up and do your very best to make their preparations as "key" as packing your luggage. Then you prepare 5 distractions. Books, toys, dumb little candies, a game, and something else. Then you get your seating arranged as perfectly as you can.

And then you make sure that the kids know that this is an adventure that they will cherish all of their lives.

And if all goes well, then you settle in and listen to everyone else's kids behave like wild apes, or you wish for trank darts with ketamine.

Oct. 10, 2010
10:17 am JST

Oct. 10, 2010
10:19 am JST

Oct. 10, 2010
10:35 am JST

Agree with Klein2.

Preferably get the kid to sit between the parents or next to a window with a parent sitting next to it. Buffer them.

Like I said before prepare books, games, snacks, etc and you can also buy toys on most flights(as a surprise/treat) or simply pull out a "new" or favorite toy suddenly. Good in-flight entertainment also helps.

Agree make the whole trip an adventure/learning experience get the kids hyped up prior to departure, etc. Hyped kids tend to wear themselves out fast and often will soon go to sleep once settled in and when things get slower/quieter.

In short involve the kids in the planning, packing, etc.

Granted not much you can do for Babies(you know the tube with "no sense of responsibility on one end and a megaphone on the other").

Oct. 10, 2010
11:33 am JST

A few years ago, an evil American from New York to Brazil was not happy hearing a little baby that was crying in the plane and just before it landed in Brazil he threw a glass of water on the baby's face! The Brazilian passengers almost killed this idiot American. So, moral of story, do not be an idiot if you are an adult, babies are babies, and if you are an ADULT try to behave like one in planes, trains and automobiles.

Oct. 10, 2010
12:36 pm JST

Oct. 10, 2010
12:53 pm JST

elbudamexicano at 11:33 AM JST - 10th October
A few years ago, an evil American from New York to Brazil was not happy hearing a little baby that was crying in the plane and just before it landed in Brazil he threw a glass of water on the baby's face!

... this is just beyond belief.

Of course I had a flight attendant try and tell me that, despite it being fine for adults to walk around, that my child couldn't because, and I quote, "They get in the way.". I called for the captain and after a long, but firm, discussion with the flight attendant (in which they implied that they could have me arrested for being disruptive), the captain arrived and he agreed with me that requiring a child to sit in their seat for the whole of a 16 hour flight was completely unreasonable.

There are evil people everywhere I guess, and some of them even have jobs... although those flight attendants didn't have theirs for very long after I lodged a harassment claim with the airline.

Oct. 10, 2010
02:21 pm JST

Oct. 10, 2010
04:07 pm JST

Frungy: " despite it being fine for adults to walk around, that my child couldn't because, and I quote, "They get in the way."

Have you ever seen how far a child can flight and bounce around if a plane hits sudden turbulence?

Everyone should always stay seated with the seatbelt on with movements limited to some stretching breaks and toilet breaks and sorry but especially children and they should never be permitted to walk around without a parent holding their hand.

It is up to parents to come prepared and to have control and not up to others to have to just put up with your children.

I'm a single father and some how I have managed it on several occasions so it is possible!

Oct. 10, 2010
04:32 pm JST

make sure to have them tired before you get on the plane,that helps.For smaller kids,a portable dvdplayer with some of their favourite dvds..a magazine of their favourite tv programme with toys can help distract them too..it will take a big effort as always to get them to sleep/be quiet.as long as you make an effort and hope the other passengers have a little understanding of what its like,you should be fine.

Oct. 10, 2010
05:30 pm JST

There is a wonderful series by rik mayall called "how to be a little sod" and I recommend this for all adults. Kids cry, get bored and generally do play up. My advice is put up with it and do the best you can.
Has anyone who is complaining about kids on planes crying actually thought:
1) poor parents.
2) maybe the kid has pain from trapped air and the poor little mite can't pop it's ears.
I have 3 little ones and know that often there is nothing that can be done to soothe a kid except let them work off their energy, and if a No kid person complains more fool them cause I'll be happy to vent my frustration.
So instead of complain either help or use some ear plugs cause us parents are probably more annoyed than you non parents but we can't show it!!

Oct. 10, 2010
06:40 pm JST

buggerlugs at 05:30 PM JST - 10th October: "I have 3 little ones and know that often there is nothing that can be done to soothe a kid except let them work off their energy, and if a No kid person complains more fool them cause I'll be happy to vent my frustration. So instead of complain either help or use some ear plugs cause us parents are probably more annoyed than you non parents but we can't show it!!"

I will repeat what I have written previously and add a bit more!

How come I could do it when my children were younger and My brother could do it with his Children when they were younger and My Sister just did it with here 4 children ages 3 to 12 but it seems so many others have excuses as to why they can't.

Does my family have some sort of genetic thing? I don't think so, I think it is simply that we were raised to respect others and that we are raising our children in the same way.

None of this modern BS psychobabble about children's needing to be children and their space to allow their emotions and creativity!

This seems to be what is wrong today children are not being taught that they must accept "NO" in life, just look at the present generation of young adults today, selfish pack of whinny babies.

I was once on a flight from India and it had a surprising number of families on it and I was struck by how different the children acted.

The Indian children sat quietly as did those of the Tanzanian family next to me and my children but the western children were complaining and yelling the whole flight as were the Japanese children.

Why is that not one of the 3 Indian families children talked above a whisper and their parents interacted with them all the way as the western and Japanese parent just sat there as if there was nothing wrong or nothing they could do to stop their monsters from running around, yelling and banging the seats of those in front of them, and when one older gentleman politely asked one father if he could please control his child and stop him from kicking his seat the Father told him " It's my kid I will handle him as I please so shut the F*** up" and I will tell you the gentleman asked very politely!

Oct. 10, 2010
07:04 pm JST

I am with Patrick Smash not sure where Limboinjapan got his stereotypes from.

Yeah, there are parents that let their kids run free(so to speak).
And, yes, kids need to walk around may it be on a plane or a long-train ride, etc. No problem as long as they are with a parent who keeps them occupied, etc.

I have taken my son on loooong train & plane-rides from age 1.5 onwards and all was fine.

Just takes a bit of extra effort and UNDERSTANDING the needs of your children.

No-one wants a robot for a child that sits stil for hours and only answers when talked to, etc.

Most people I met understood that traveling with a child is proplematic and many helped out and supported us as we also put in our effort not to inconvenience them.

He is now 10 and I can drop him off at the Shinkansen and he will be fine and quiet/well behaved till he gets to Nagoya where his gran picks him up.
Last trip he chatted all the way with an Obaa-san next to him, if not he has his NDS to keep him busy and he knows NOT to turn the sound on.

Oct. 10, 2010
07:50 pm JST

cleo at 12:36 PM - 10th Oct: "Do you hit the kid with it ( a big Hershey's bar with Almonds)( as I recommended the kids to eat ), or do you threaten to make him eat it if he doesn't shurrup ( shut up? )?"

You poor lass, you have obviously never eaten a Hershey's Bar with Almonds, 'ave you?

Oct. 10, 2010
07:57 pm JST

Oct. 10, 2010
09:22 pm JST

limboinjapan at 04:07 PM JST - 10th October
Have you ever seen how far a child can flight and bounce around if a plane hits sudden turbulence?

Nope, I've never seen this happen, ever, not in over 100 flights (yes, I fly a lot), and if I have never seen it once during 100 flights then I strongly suspect that you're talking nonsense. Modern airplanes come equipped with equipment that gives warning of serious turbulence, so "sudden" turbulence is highly unlikely.

Everyone should always stay seated with the seatbelt on with movements limited to some stretching breaks and toilet breaks and sorry but especially children and they should never be permitted to walk around without a parent holding their hand.

3 words. Deep vein thrombosis. Regular stretching is recommended, but an occassional walk is much better for circulation. And just for the record I do accompany my child on her walks around the plane, because particularly near the emergency exits there can be small fragments of broken glass from safety tests.

If cabin staff are telling you to stay seated at all times then it's for their convenience, not for your safety. I've encountered this line from cabin staff a few times and the first few times I took it, but when I enquired with the airlines this is STRICTLY counter to policy and passengers are in fact encouraged to walk around (when it's safe to do so, i.e. when the seatbelt light is off). Next time you get this advice make a note of the name of the crew member and report them, because they will be disciplined.

Oct. 10, 2010
10:15 pm JST

"How come I could do it when my children were younger and My brother could do it with his Children when they were younger and My Sister just did it with here 4 children ages 3 to 12 but it seems so many others have excuses as to why they can't."
Maybe because they're scared of you?

Oct. 11, 2010
03:15 am JST

Oct. 11, 2010
05:55 am JST

The responsiblity for children's behavior lies with the adult charged with the care of the children. Children will respond to an adult's discipline if they sense sincerity and commitment on the part of the adult. Progressive discipline usually is more effective in the long-term, although in the short-term, can be very challenging to maintain.
Thank you very much.
Respectfully,
Mark Kazuo Bradley
500 University Avenue, Apt. #519
Honolulu, Hawaii 96826

Oct. 11, 2010
05:41 pm JST

9 times out of 10 a child is crying because they have a problem... maybe they are hungry or they want something. but if its a bad ass kid, hitting and spitting at you. being wild and disorderly you have to show children sometimes what and what not they can control. u might just have to whip that ass

Oct. 11, 2010
06:18 pm JST

Zenny11 at 04:18 PM JST - 11th October
Kid should NEVER be drugged neither for your nor their parents convenience. They are not things do you with as you like.

That's pretty much my feeling too. I'm not about to drug my kid into a semi-coma for 24 to 36 hours just because she sometimes cries, it's not healthy and with all the complications of flying (changes in ear pressure, dehydration from the dry air in the cabins, deep vein thrombosis from lack of activity, etc) there's simply too much that can go wrong.

For all those selfish people whining about having to put up with a little crying, let me put this into perspective, what you're asking parents to do by drugging their children is grossly irresponsible, and could result in the death of a child. Your convenience is not worth someone else's life, particularly not the life of an innocent child.

Arkamedes at 05:41 PM JST - 11th October
u might just have to whip that ass

I wouldn't recommend it. If the parent is like me and has been awake for 24~36 hours then don't expect me to be reasonable if you lay a hand on my child. Best case I'll ask the flight attendants to arrest you under the new airline safety legislation which means that you'll be spending at minimum several hours in an office at the airport answering questions about why you assaulted someone on a plane. Worst case I'll get the wrong impression and I'll ask them to arrest you as a pedophile who like touching kiddies, in which case in most places you're looking at mandatory registration as a sex offender. Have a nice day.

Oct. 11, 2010
07:21 pm JST

WhiskeySour, hear hear. Just because someone chooses to have children and all the headaches that go along with the task, doesn't mean I have to share in your experiences of child rearing. For example, may I watch a inapproriate movie or read an inappropriate magazine on a plane, without considering the passengers around me, or may I fall into a drunken stupor and belch and puke all over you. Of course I would never do such a thing. This would be considered rude and unruly beahvior, and ultimately cause your flight to be unpleasureable for all parties. I understand that small children cry and are just babies. However, when a parent fails to properly take into consideration that the whole world does not have children, and that there are other passengers on the plane that are just plain tired or have other pressing matters on their mind it really causes me to have zero patience for their plight. Please, if your children are too small to fly, then don't fly. If you must fly, take the proper meausres into consideration prior to the flight (i.e., dont let your child sleep for several hours prior to the flight, bring enough entertaining toys/gadgets to keep your child occupied, be prepared to "enjoy" the entire flight walking laps around the plane to keep your children as silent as possible. Do not simply sit there, let the child scream for 12 hours and expect me to "understand" that this is "how it is" when traveling with children.

Oct. 11, 2010
08:51 pm JST

kurumazaka at 04:32 PM JST - 8th October
"drop sleeping pills in their complementary beverage
Was going to try that once on a NY/Narita flight. Unfortunately, the kid caught us choosing some Nytol at Duane Reade and loudly asked “are you guys going to give me drugs?“ Under many suspicious stares, we quickly departed and never tried that again..."

Yeah, right. If your kid was old enough to utter the phrase "are you guys going to give me drugs?", and realize to say that in THAT situation with THAT product, then they were waaaaayyyy old enough to be properly disciplined and know how to act on a plane, lest they want a throbbing red ass.

Oct. 11, 2010
09:08 pm JST

I will start by saying that I have two kids, 6 and 1, and have flown with the older of the two several times now. He is a pretty good kid by nature, overall, but is still a kid.

I have also flown many, many times alone for biz trips and whatnot.

When I experience loud, unruly kids in the airplane (or, wherever) and see the parents merely ignoring them or, even better, spanking or scolding them - which only accomplishes the feat of making them even louder and more unbearable, I have nothing but contempt for said parents.

HOWEVER, when I see the parents trying in vain to do anything and everything within reasonable common sense, yet to no avail, I feel total empathy and compassion for them. Thus, the only thing left to do is put on the headsets, crank up the tunes or a movie, and order some wine.

Kids are kids - they are only products of either good parents, or bad ones. I have never known a really GOOD (remember, good and "kind" are two different things sometime) parent with a really unruly kid.

Now, talking about babies, forget about it. They are babies. You can't tell people with babies they can't fly. They pay the same the same amount of $$ as everyone else for their seat - a bit more, in fact. And, they not only have to deal with the same uncomfortable noise that you do, but they also have to deal with the source of that noise (if they are good parents, that is) as well as the embarrassment that comes with it.

Have SOME compassion people. If it bothers you so much, then either DON'T fly (you know what you are getting yourself into - it's your choice), or, sit in the only true "non-noisy kid" section of the plane. It's called first-class. Cough it up.

Oct. 11, 2010
10:38 pm JST

Oct. 12, 2010
12:26 am JST

Guys, it is so funny, thanks a lot)) it seems to be that most people here can win prize of “ best solicitor for crying kids” )))Honestly I have been lucky, have never had this problem. Oh non, just one, baby was crying but very short, then I supposed he has got his prosac/ sleeping tablets/ scotch etc…

Oct. 12, 2010
07:45 am JST

Good parenting is the key to the problem. If taught properly almost kids understand acceptable behavior in the appropriate place, and will act accordingly. Good parenting is hard work and takes time and commitment. Parents who throw their hands in the air and say "it's just his nature" or whatever, are being lazy.
As a relatively frequent traveler, I expect to be able to pay for my seat and get on a flight (which is public space) and not have my peace and quiet impinged upon by obnoxious, inconsiderate or drunk adults, or likewise by agitated undisciplined children. Just as I would never do to the other passengers. That is basic manners, and is your responsibility to others.
In fact, I feel as though this is an extension of the Rights V Responsibilities argument that is increasingly becoming twisted around in western society. People have become so wrapped up in what their rights are, they are forgetting what their responsibilities to those around them entail.
A passenger has a right to travel without being upset by others. A parent has a responsibility to ensure their child behaves appropriately in public, including on a plane.
This is something the Japanese are very good at.

Oct. 12, 2010
10:00 am JST

Pepper Spray and/or Stun Gun...but seriously, we are a product of our genes and environment. Some kids can contain themselves better, regardless of parenting. Then there is the issue of spanking. I feel a child will develop better with less spanking, and there may be studies to support this.

Oct. 12, 2010
11:24 am JST

Try to calm the kid talking about what's bothering him, if that fails and the kid is perfectly healthy parents should then wear earplugs and eventually the ignored crying kid will stop... sorry for the rest of the passengers but there's not much to be done.

Oct. 12, 2010
11:50 am JST

1) Tell them that the plane is unstable and if they keep on screaming... the bolts will come off.
2) Do a Hitchcock and put them in jail. (for 10-20 minutes by personal choice)
3) Make them watch anime (for kids) in your laptop.

Oct. 12, 2010
01:47 pm JST

If the kids are old enough - video games and kiddie movies. Crayons and drawing helps slow them down (good trick to use before bedtimes).

Kids are easily distracted - when our kids are crying for no particular physical reason - sometimes they're just sad or melancholy - we tell them (or help them) to wash their hands, face, comb their hair (grooming) - and my favorite - brush their teeth.

Oct. 12, 2010
04:52 pm JST

Oct. 12, 2010
07:05 pm JST

I think the biggest issue for small children is the pressure changes on an airplane, which can be painful if they don't know what to expect and what to do about it. Parents should do what they can so that both the children and other passengers have a pleasant trip. Other passengers, as members of a community of humans, should endure a bit of annoyance, provided some effort is being made by parents to take the matter in hand, as we were annoying children at one time, and people tolerated us enough for us to survive.

Oct. 12, 2010
11:21 pm JST

Oct. 13, 2010
04:40 am JST

Infants I can understand, but any kid 3 and above needs to be taught early so they understand that screaming their head off will get them nothing but a wet face and grasping for air. I would teach my kids to pop their ears on a plane, its annoying to me so I know it has to suck for them and depending on how long the plane ride, get them a nice long distraction, something they will be so focused on so it will knock them right out!

Oct. 13, 2010
06:28 am JST

Tamarama at 07:45 AM JST - 12th October
Good parenting is the key to the problem. If taught properly almost kids understand acceptable behavior in the appropriate place, and will act accordingly. Good parenting is hard work and takes time and commitment. Parents who throw their hands in the air and say "it's just his nature" or whatever, are being lazy.

Best answer I have seen on here. As a parent of 3 kids, all living outside their native land since birth, it is the parents that bore the responsibility up to about age 5. After that, the child should understand right and wrong. If they do not, the parents were too lazy to teach them.

And my kids have been doing trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights all their life, and I have been complimented by passengers (like yourselves on this board) because they expected the worst, but were very surprised.

So what is the best way to deal with it? Complain to the stewardess in a nice manner. And keep it coming until the airline gives you some type of compensation. Similar to people that can't fit into a seat: You need to read the airline transport agreement, and make the airline uphold it.

Or you can look at the lazy / bad parent, and tell them they need to get their kids under control. Not simple but may make you feel better.

Oct. 13, 2010
08:21 am JST

if they are your own kids, be understanding, do your best to make them comfortable so that they can calm down and thus alleviate everyones stress,,,,,also be prepared, who likes to be stuck on a plane for several hours, sitting in same chair,,,,,we are adults,,they are not
take candy for their pressured ears

if they are not your own kids, then they are probably really badly behaved, and the parents have no parenting skills whatsoever,,,, they are the ones, you give an evil look at,,,,or as one great ojichan recently did on my last flight back from Australia to Japan, (my daughter was engrossed in online entertainment, and baby was full of mummys milk blissfully asleep),,,,anyways,, there was a terrible boy who was running up and down the aisle making jet noises, the first 2 times was cute although a little annoying,,then it was constant with the parents (wont mention what nationality they were, not Asian) were laughing about there cute johnny boy,,,,,, the JAL ladies said to the parents gratiously,,,it is dangerous etc, disturbing other passengers etc,,,,,(its alright said the dumb and drunk parents)
one quick thinking ojichan who was getting sick of this (after 20 times....) decided to stretch his legs in the aisle at a rather opportune time, dumb kid fell over, grazed his chin,,,, and ran crying to dumb mum and dad,,,sat in his chair for the rest of the flight!!!!! yeah go Ojiichan!!!

Oct. 13, 2010
10:04 am JST

loud kids can be annoying, but i am often more annoyed by those parents who yell really loud.. some parents get so frustrated and yell, use some bad words and etc, kids cry more..

small babies are actually easier to travel with if you (mothers) are breastfeeding, but when kids start walking around, like 1 or 2-year-olds, they are difficult to travel long distance with, because they wouldn't want to sit still for a long time, they cannot fully communicate when they want something, and they don't always understand the situation nor what their parents are trying to communicate..

now, kids older than 3 -- if they continue to misbehave, i think their parents should know how to make them quiet or entertain them.. they should be old enough to understand what their parents are saying and they should be old enough to be entertained without crying loud or yelling.

Oct. 13, 2010
10:46 am JST

In french high speed trains, you can now choose your desired atmosphere (family / active / relaxation), because the trains are divided in different categories. With some imagination, a similar system could be implemented in some planes (for example in the new Airbus 380): a family area, a business area, etc...

Oct. 13, 2010
01:14 pm JST

This all depends on why the kid is crying. If he/she is uncomfortable the parent should do all that is possible to create comfort. If the kid is just spoilt and rude....slap the parent!!! kidding. But seriously, the parent should be held responsible for the behaviour of the child.

Oct. 14, 2010
02:36 am JST

What's the best way to deal with screaming or badly-behaved children at airports and on planes so that they don't drive other passengers crazy?

Discipline your children at home and teach them there are different levels of volume appropriate for different venues. My two have flown overseas many times and have actually had other passengers comment how well behaved they were. I wish I could take most of the credit but my wife taught them well to only whisper in public.

Oct. 14, 2010
10:32 am JST

Oct. 14, 2010
01:36 pm JST

Im a parent so Im pretty tolerant of others kids as well as for tired, stressed parents. Personally Ive never had problems w/my kids b/c I go well prepared but I think the biggest problem w/crying is air pressure. Kids need something to chew or suck on on take off & landing. If not, they may have pain the whole flight. I was on a flight where a small child screeched in pain the whole time. The flight attendant only made snarly comments which was not helpful. Flight attendants should provide something for them to suck on and warm cups to put on the ears. The parents got irritable b/c they couldnt calm the child down & passengers were giving them ugly looks. Ugly looks & nasty comments to parents dont help either. I tried offering gum but I dont think they understood me & felt too frustrated to deal w/me, but a competant flight attendant they probably would have listened to. As for kids noisy kids, they are bored. Again parents should bring lots of entertaining things for kids but travel regulations make that rather difficult these days & inexperienced travelers may not know what to pack so flight attendants should have things on each flight to keep kids busy. Also for elementary age and up, choosing an airline that has individual entertainment units on their seats is best. Most of these kids & parents aren`t bad. Flying is just uncomfortable, stressful, & often unfamiliar territory for small kids.